COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONSixpoint Brownstone is based upon one of my favorite and most popular homebrew recipes; an instant classic that Iíve been brewing since my college days. The most distinguishing characteristic of the Brownstone is its aroma of fresh-baked bread, which is accomplished by using generous portions of classic Belgian specialty malt. In addition, I use a very small portion of the same malt you would find in a stout, which lends a roasted quality in addition to the usual chocolate and nutty qualities you might find in a typical brown ale.
Although brown ales typically emphasize malty sweetness, I find a balance must remain if the hop bitterness is diminished. As a result, I carefully blend ten different malt varieties and keep the Brownstone only mildly hopped. Instead of hop bitterness providing the balance, I achieve a balance among the flavors of malt: the deep caramel and malt flavors are balanced by notes of rich toffee, chocolate, a slight nuttiness and a roasted tang. It is a true session ale.

Pours clear light brown with a large beige head. Smells of bread, nutty, chocolate, roast, hints of caramel and toffee. Taste is roasty at first with some resinous bitter notes and then moves to some caramel and toffee notes with a hint of bitterness and has some nice nuttiness on the back end. Medium-bodied with a smooth texture and soft mouth-carbonation, Sixpoint Brownstone finishes with some roasted and resinous bitterness.

Cask at Gingerman, NYC. Nice murky dark brown, good creamy head. Great aroma - sweet burnt malt with some chocolate notes. Tsste is excellent - rich burnt malt, really sweet and chocolaty. Very fresh - what a great opportunity to try it fresh on cask! If I wasníít a ratings whore tourist, I would have drank this all rainy Friday afternoon. Great stuff, likely the best brown ale I have ever had.

Pours a dark brown. Nice off white head. Nose is nice and deep with a sweet tone. Flavor is deep, robust, and at just the right levels. You know youíre drinking a brown ale with this one. If I were blind and tasted it, I would know exactly what it was. Nice lasting caramel aftertaste. Feel is smooth on liquid with a great bubble on the tongue. It kind of stays with you and nibbles on your mouth long after you are done (the bubble that is).Extremely drinkable. Another great brew from Sixpoint and a beautiful take on the style.

Original review posting date 12/31/2008.
On-tap at Sunset Grill in Allston...
Deep chestnut/mahogany body. Single-finger head is rather ephemeral actually.
Nose predominantly of toffee and a little bit of dried fruits. Iím guessing dates at this point.
Clean-tasting with a good husky dark malt backbone. Hop character is slightly floral - maybe a little pininess in there as well.
Palate feel for this one is quite enjoyable - typically comforting for a brown session ale - nothing breaking out to disrupt balance.
I could enjoy a few of these in a session - strong effort indeed.

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